Remiel is the traditional name for one of the angels. And for our family, that’s exactly what she was.
Remiel was given from God to our family, and entered our lives just as our dear sweet German Shepherd, Gabriel, was about to leave. After his passing, she became the beloved pup as her sweet personality helped alleviate our grieving. She played with the little ones, cuddled at a whim, would adore anyone who fed her for life.
When we moved to Nepal, she adjusted to her new life with glee. She loved sunbathing on our roof and could be found there at any time during the day, sleeping.
Three months later, when we left Nepal, the plan had been to take her with us back to the states. But God evidently had other plans, as the airline would not allow her onboard. Babita was able to retrieve her, but with breaking hearts, we were forced to leave both our grieving sister, and our sweet dog in the airport.
In the two years since this happened, we have not stopped praying for an answer to Remiel’s absence. And now God has answered us.
Several months ago, it became clear that Remiel could no longer stay where she was at Abba House. Babita had moved on to the dorm at Crown College Nepal. With heavy hearts, we began looking for a new home for Remiel— in Nepal. It was not financially possible to get her back to us, and we didn’t want her to go to just anyone. Nothing presented itself, and we were understandably growing a bit desperate. So when my Dad mentioned the fact that he was trying to re-house his “Nepali dog,” to one of his Nepali friends, imagine our delight when that friend said that he and his family would love to take her.
The situation could not have been nicer. Dad, currently in Nepal, was able to move Remiel himself, and see that this man and his family truly were excited to have a dog. Already, they have bathed her, bought her a collar, and were curious to know her birthday. That’s more than we have been able to give Remiel in the years we have been apart, and really, none of us can begrudge her the love and attention she is now receiving as a true family dog again.
None of us can say it is what we had hoped for or wanted. But in the end, the closing of this still-open somewhat open door is for the best. She belongs now, she is physically loved now, and while we will still cry to think of her, we are all beaming through our tears to know that she is once again a special dog to someone, a gift from God to bless yet another family.
